Fairborn pursuing brewery operation to locate in city

FAIRBORN — The city is seeking to incorporate a brewery operation in a long-standing structure on Broad Street.

“We’ve been actively pursuing breweries to locate in our fire station,” Fairborn City Manager Rob Anderson said. “We have a couple that are interested.”

The Fairborn fire station formerly housed differing operations, including a school and Village of Fairfield offices. However, it has remained a fire station since adopting that identity.

The interior of the fire station facility would be demolished and restored to its original look, allowing operators of interest to see the “bones” of the structure. The ceiling has been lowered and things have been attached to the brick walls. Therefore, funding is a factor in reinstating the native feeling to the structure as the city will work toward that goal.

“I think it will make a much cooler brewery,” Anderson said. “If you’ve been to [other] breweries, its a brick-facade, cooler feel. We will pursue that to bring the building back to that standard.”

The city had similar conversations in previous months with individuals interested in bringing a brewery operation to the facility. However, plans changed. The operators ultimately placed the brewery in the former Quaker Steak and Lube facility, 3725 Presidential Drive off Col. Glenn Highway near Wright State University. The facility now houses The Wandering Griffin Brewery and Pub.

Anderson added that the city and potential operators are currently in the “talking” stage; no set-in-stone plans have been made at this point.

By Whitney Vickers

wvickers@civitasmedia.com

Contact Whitney Vickers at 937-502-4532. Find her on Twitter by searching for @FDHWhitney.